FRQ: Question 49: Analyze the military, political, and social factors that account for the rise of Prussia between 1640 and 1786.

The rise of Prussia between 1640 and 1786 happened because of the combination of military, political, and social factors. Three of the kings responsible for the uprising of Prussia were, Fredrick William, “the Great Elector,” and Fredrick III, and Fredrick William I. The nobility and aristocracy, known as “Junkers,” played a dominating role in the Prussian state. The military had grown from 45,000 to 83,000 men, consisting of nobles as high-ranking generals, and peasants as low-ranking soldiers, these factors led to the rise of Prussia.

Fredrick William, “the Great Elector,” ruled from 1640 to 1688, fifteen years after he came to power his troops occupied Warsaw and he made his debut, when Prussia would there after be considered sovereign under the Hohenzollern family. Fredrick William’s son, Fredrick III, elector of Brandenburg, became king of Prussia in 1701, receiving recognition from Emperor Leopold I in exchange for military aid in the War of...